Sports Podiatry
Sports Podiatry
Sports podiatry focuses on the assessment, treatment, and prevention of foot, ankle, and lower limb injuries related to physical activity. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a enjoy running to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the way your body moves plays a crucial role in performance and injury prevention.
Our bodies are all built differently, so some muscles or joints might not work as well as others. When this happens, nearby areas may have to work harder to make up for it, which can cause strain or discomfort. Over time, this can lead to pain or problems in other parts of the body, even ones that seem unrelated. This is known as “referred symptoms” because the body is adjusting and compensating for the imbalance.
Putting too much strain on the body over time can lead to wear and tear, making it harder to treat injuries and, in some cases, requiring surgery. Different sports put unique demands on our lower body. For example:
- In boxing, the big toe needs to bend properly for rotational movements, but conditions like Hallux Limitus/Rigidus can limit this motion.
- In bowling, proper movement in the ankles, knees, and hips is crucial for good technique.
- In rowing, the front of the foot takes a lot of pressure, and the arch of the foot must be stiff to transfer power efficiently.
- In racket sports, stable ankles are essential for quick changes in direction.
If these body parts don’t function well, it can impact performance and lead to injuries. Identifying a functional or structural imbalance could reduce the need for compensation and/or overuse injuries, preventing the need for more complex treatment in the future.
The sooner this issue is dealt with the better.
At Pioneer, our clinical team goes beyond just understanding the movement needs of different sports. We thoroughly assess every lower limb joint, both when it’s at rest and in motion. We also examine muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues, including skin elasticity, to get a full picture of how the body moves.
Additionally, we analyse how the foot interacts with the ground through footwear during weight-bearing activities like running, golf, bowling, tennis, and rowing. By combining all this information, we create customised musculoskeletal solutions tailored to each individual’s needs.
Whether you or a loved one is dealing with podiatry concerns, we’re here to help.
FAQs
There are many potential causes of foot problems which include:
- Standing on your feet for prolonged periods
- Aging
- Injury or trauma
- Overuse
- Extra body weight (greater loading due to an increase in body mass)
- Wearing shoes that don't fit properly
- Other conditions such as Diabetes or Arthritis
You should consider seeing a podiatrist if you have foot, ankle, or lower limb issues.
Gait Analysis is a frame-by-frame analysis of your walking or running style, to help identify any lower limb problem or discrepancy
“Very good, I would definitely recommend Vince Herencia for any feet or leg treatment. ”
– Anne
